Uzbekistan

China

China also has sought to develop relations with Central Asia. This was
highlighted in May 1994, by the visit of the Chinese premier, Li Peng, to
Tashkent. Since 1991 China has become the second largest trading partner
in Central Asia after Russia. During Li Peng's visit, Uzbekistan and China
signed four agreements designed to increase trade, including the granting
of a Chinese loan to Uzbekistan, the establishment of air freight
transport between the two countries, and the Chinese purchase of
Uzbekistani cotton and metals. The two countries also agreed to settle all
territorial disputes through negotiation, and they found common territory
in their desire to reform their economies without relinquishing strict
political control. At the same time, however, policy makers in Uzbekistan
also view China as one of Uzbekistan's chief potential threats, requiring
the same kind of balanced approach as that adopted toward Russia. Indeed,
despite the large volume of trade between China and Central Asia, China is
lowest on the list of desired trading partners and international donors
among Uzbekistan's population. In a 1993 survey, only about 3 percent of
respondents believed that China is a desirable source of foreign financial
assistance.